Forbes Ranks The Highest Paid Stand-Up Comedians
(12 photo)

I don’t remember exactly where I heard it, but I remember Louis C.K. talking about his FX show, Louie, and saying that it’s not a show he does for the money. In fact, most of his income derived from taking his stand-up act around the country. After seeing how much he make, I believe him. I think he probably made more last year than two or even three times the entire budget of his television show. It is apparently a very lucrative career at the top, although I have to admit that I have never heard of a couple of these guys. I am, however, quite distressed to learn that Jeff Dunham makes more than Louis C.K. Not all of the millions the 11 men below (and they are all men) derive exclusively from stand-up performances, but according to Forbes methodology, the majority of it does. Here are the 11 highest-paid stand-up comedians.